3D Super Localized Flow with Locally and Acoustically Activated Nanodroplets and High Frame Rate Imaging Using a Matrix Array

Blood flow visualization and quantification methods with microbubble contrast agents using High-Frame-Rate (HFR) ultrasound have been developed for 2D and 3D acquisitions. Perfluorocarbon phase change nanodroplets have been investigated as an alternative to MBs, due to their smaller size, longer half-life and spatial and temporal control of their activation enabling contrast on demand. Previous works have shown their potential use as a flow indicator in 2D in-vitro and in-vivo acquisitions. However, the tracking of individual microbubbles was limited to a 2D plane. This work demonstrates the feasibility of 3D flow visualization and quantification using HFR ultrasound acquisition, locally activated nanodroplets, and super-localization and tracking to provide very high-resolution local flow measurement.